Ipswich’s Wardley has made a remarkable progress from unheralded white-collar scene to world champion.
He won the ‘interim’ WBO title by defeating Joseph Parker in October and later became full world champion when Oleksandr Usyk – who still holds the WBA, WBC and IBF titles – vacated his belt rather than defend it against Wardley.
Clarke says he regrets his performance against Wardley, which required him to have surgery on his jaw after the defeat in Saudi Arabia, but has “no anger towards Fabio, just congratulations”.
The Burton-upon-Trent fighter added: “Where he’s come from and where he’s gone is such a crazy story. He’s inspirational to me and I’ll tell a lot of other people about Fabio’s story. So respect there.”
Wardley is currently looking for an opponent for his first defense, but Clarke is realistic about a potential trilogy fight.
Clarke said, “To be honest, he would be looking for a big name, a big money fight. But I would never say never.”
“A few fights, put yourself in a good position – never say never. But I think from the prospect of fighting Oleksandr Usyk to then boxing Fraser Clarke – financially it’s probably not on his mind.
“But this game is crazy and the way things change and the way things happen.”
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